Hydropyrrolopyrrole derivatives for use as fatty acid synthase inhibitors

ABSTRACT

Compounds of the formula I 
     in which R 1 , R 2 , R, X 1 , X 2 , X 3 , X 4 , n1, n2, n3 and n4 have the meanings indicated in claim  1,    
     are inhibitors of Tankyrase, and can be employed, inter alia, for the treatment of diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, central nervous system injury and different forms of inflammation.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to novel hydropyrrolopyrrole derivativeswhich inhibit the activity of fatty acid synthase (FASN; alsoabbreviated as FAS), to pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, toprocesses for their preparation, and to their use in therapy for thetreatment of cancers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fatty Acid Synthase (FAS) is a critical enzyme for endogenouslipogenesis and plays an important role in the modulation of keyintermediates of lipid and carbohydrate cellular metabolism. FAS ishighly expressed in the tissues with high metabolic activity (forexample liver, adipose tissue and brain) and there are good reasons tobelieve that a FAS inhibitor would cause beneficial metabolic effects inperipheral tissues. In addition, inhibition of FAS in the hypothalamusmay result in reduced food intake. The non-specific irreversible FASinhibitors cerulenin and C-75 have been reported in the literature todecrease brain levels of orexigenic neuropeptides and to decrease foodintake.

FAS is also highly expressed in human sebocytes, the lipid producingcells of the sebaceous glands. Acne is the most common disorderinvolving the sebaceous gland. The pathogenesis of acne involves lipid(over)production by the sebaceous gland and it has been reported thatinhibitors of mammalian FAS inhibit the production of sebum in sebocytes(US 2005/0053631). Acne cannot occur without sebum lipids. There is anunmet medical need in the treatment of acne for agents that reduce sebumproduction.

Since fatty acid synthesis in bacteria is essential for cell survival,bacterial FAS (type II synthase) has emerged as a potential target forantibacterial therapy. Unlike in most other prokaryotes, fatty acidsynthase activity in mycobacteria is carried out by a singlehigh-molecular-weight, multifunctional peptide chain (type I synthase)related to mammalian FAS. Mycobacterial type I FAS has been described asa potential target for antimycobacterial therapy, e.g. the treatment oftuberculosis. With one-third of the world's population being infectedwith the tuberculosis bacillus, and multidrug-resistant strains ofMycobacterium tuberculosis developing, there is a high medical need fornovel tuberculosis therapies. (Silvana C. Ngo, et al.: Inhibition ofisolated Mycobacterium tuberculosis Fatty Acid Synthase I byPyrazinamide Analogs; Antimicrobial agents and Chemotherapy 51,7 (2007)2430-2435).

Recently, microdomains of organelle membranes rich in sphingomyelin andcholesterol (called “lipid rafts”) have been considered to act as ascaffold for the hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication complex (F.Amemiya, et al.: Targeting Lipid Metabolism in the Treatment ofHepatitis C Virus Infection. The Journal of Infectious Diseases 197(2008) 361-70). Consequently, alterations of membrane lipid compositionand/or distribution may influence viral replication. Indeed, agentsrelated to lipid metabolism like polyunsaturated fatty acids or HMG-CoAreductase inhibitors (statins) have been shown to affect the replicationof genotype 1 HCV (dto). These agents may attenuate HCV replicationthrough the destruction of lipid rafts, according to theirpharmacological actions. An alternative molecular mechanism possiblyresponsible for the inhibition of HCV replication is via alteringlocalization of host proteins through alterations in lipid anchoring (S.M. Sagan, et al.: The influence of cholesterol and lipid metabolism onhost cell structure and hepatitis C virus replication. Biochem. CellBiol. 84 (2006) 67-79). Unlike polyunsaturated fatty acids, addition ofsaturated fatty acids or oleic acid to cultured Sfil cells promoted HCVRNA replication (S. B. Kapadia, F. V. Chisari: Hepatitis C virus RNAreplication is regulated by host geranylgeranylation and fatty acids.PNAS 102 (2005) 2561-66). In line with this, it has been reported thatexpression of fatty acid synthase was increased in a human hepatoma cellline upon HCV infection (W. Yang, et al.: Fatty acid synthase isup-regulated during hepatitis C virus infection and regulates hepatitisC virus entry. Hepatology 48,5 (2008) 1396-1403). Furthermore,inhibition of fatty acid biosynthesis by TOFA (an inhibitor ofacetyl-CoA carboxylase) or inhibitors of fatty acid synthase (cerulenin,C75), led to decreased HCV production (dto).

The effect of fatty acid synthase (FAS) activity on viral replication orinfection appears not to be restricted to HCV, but has also beenreported for HIV (D. H. Nguyen, D. D. Taub: Targeting Lipids to PreventHIV infection. Molecular Interventions 4,6 (2004) 318-320), Poliovirus(R. Guinea, L. Carrasco: Effects of Fatty Acids on Lipid

Synthesis and Viral RNA Replication in Poliovirus-Infected Cells.Virology 185 (1991) 473-476), Epstein-Barr virus (Y. Li., et al.: Fattyacid synthase expression is induced by the Epstein-Barr virusimmediate-early protein BRLF1 and is required for lytic viral geneexpression. Journal of Virology 78,8 (2004) 4197-4206), human papillomavirus (L. Louw, et al.: HPV-induced recurrent laryngeal papillomatosis:fatty acid role-players. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr 17 (S1) (2008) 208-211),coxsackievirus B3 (A. Rassmann, et al.: The human fatty acid synthase: Anew therapeutic target for coxsackievirus B3-induced diseases? AntiviralResearch 76 (2007) 150-158), Rous sarcoma virus (H. Goldfine, et al.:Effects of inhibitors of lipid synthesis on the replication of RousSarcoma Virus. A specific effect of cerulenin on the processing of majornon-glycosylated viral structural proteins. Biochimica et BiophysicaActa 512 (1978) 229-240), as well as human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), andinfluenza A virus (J. Munger, et al.: Systems-level metabolic fluxprofiling identifies fatty acid synthesis as a target for antiviraltherapy. Nature Biotechnology 26 (2008) 1 179-1 186).

Taken together, there is growing evidence, that activity of the host'sFAS plays an important role in viral infection and viral replication,suggesting FAS as a target for antiviral therapy. The expression of FASis strongly increased in many cancers and there is evidence thatefficient fatty acid synthesis is required for tumor cell survival.Inhibition of FAS has therefore been suggested as a new direction foroncology (Expert Opin. Investig. Drugs 16,1 (2007)1817-1829).

Fatty acids have an essential role in a variety of cellular processesincluding building blocks for membranes, anchors for targeting membraneproteins, precursors in the synthesis of lipid second messengers and asa medium to store energy, Menendez J S and Lupu R, Fatty acid synthaseand the lipogenic phenotype in cancer pathogenesis, Nature ReviewsCancer, 7: 763-777 (2007). Fatty acids can either be obtained from thediet or can be synthesized de novo from carbohydrate precursors. Thebiosynthesis of the latter is catalyzed by the multi-functionalhomodimeric FAS. FAS synthesizes long chain fatty acids by usingacetyl-CoA as a primer and Malonyl Co-A as a 2 carbon donor, and NADPHas a reducing equivalents (Wakil S J, Lipids, Structure and function ofanimal fatty acid synthase, 39: 1045-1053 (2004), Asturias F J et al.,Structure and molecular organization of mammalian fatty acid synthase,Nature Struct. Mol. Biol. 12:225-232 (2005), Maier T, et al.,Architecture of Mammalian Fatty Acid Synthase at 4.5 A Resolution,Science 311 : 1258-1262 (2006).

De novo fatty acid synthesis is active during embryogenesis and in fetallungs where fatty acids are used for the production of lung surfactant.In adults, most normal human tissues preferentially acquire fatty acidsfrom the diet. Therefore, the level of de novo lipogensis and expressionof liopogenic enzymes is low, Weiss L, et al, Fatty-acid biosynthesis inman, a pathway of minor importance. Purification, optimal assayconditions, and organ distribution of fatty-acid synthase. BiologicalChemistry Hoppe-Seyler 367(9):905-912 (1986). In contrast, many tumorshave high rates of de novo fatty acid synthesis Medes G, et al,Metabolism of Neoplastic Tissue. IV. A Study of Lipid Synthesis inNeoplastic Tissue Slices in Vitro, Can Res, 13:27-29, (1953). FAS hasnow been shown to be overexpressed in numerous cancer types includingprostate, ovary, colon, endometrium lung, bladder, stomach and kidneyKuhajda F P, Fatty-acid synthase and human cancer: new perspectives onits role in tumor biology, Nutrition; 16:202-208 (2000). Thisdifferential expression and function of FAS in tumors and normal cellsprovide an approach for cancer therapy with the potential of asubstantial therapeutic window.

Pharmacological and small interference RNA mediated inhibition of FAShas demonstrated a preferential inhibition of cancer cell proliferation.Additionally these inhibitors induce apoptosis in cancers cells in vitroand retard growth in human tumors in murine xenograft models in vivo,Menendez J S and Lupu R, Nature Reviews Cancer, 7: 763-777 (2007). Basedupon these findings, FAS is considered a major potential target ofantineoplastic intervention.

The invention had the object of finding novel compounds having valuableproperties, in particular those which can be used for the preparation ofmedicaments.

It has been found that the compounds according to the invention andsalts thereof have very valuable pharmacological properties while beingwell tolerated.

The present invention specifically relates to compounds of the formula Iwhich inhibit FASN, to compositions which comprise these compounds, andto processes for the use thereof for the treatment of FASN-induceddiseases and complaints.

The compounds of the formula I can furthermore be used for the isolationand investigation of the activity or expression of FASN. In addition,they are particularly suitable for use in diagnostic methods fordiseases in connection with unregulated or disturbed FASN activity.

The host or patient can belong to any mammalian species, for example aprimate species, particularly humans; rodents, including mice, rats andhamsters; rabbits; horses, cows, dogs, cats, etc. Animal models are ofinterest for experimental investigations, providing a model fortreatment of human disease.

The susceptibility of a particular cell to treatment with the compoundsaccording to the invention can be determined by in vitro tests.Typically, a culture of the cell is combined with a compound accordingto the invention at various concentrations for a period of time which issufficient to allow active agents such as anti IgM to induce a cellularresponse such as expression of a surface marker, usually between aboutone hour and one week. In vitro testing can be carried out usingcultivated cells from blood or from a biopsy sample. The amount ofsurface marker expressed is assessed by flow cytometry using specificantibodies recognising the marker.

The dose varies depending on the specific compound used, the specificdisease, the patient status, etc. A therapeutic dose is typicallysufficient considerably to reduce the undesired cell population in thetarget tissue while the viability of the patient is maintained. Thetreatment is generally continued until a considerable reduction hasoccurred, for example an at least about 50% reduction in the cellburden, and may be continued until essentially no more undesired cellsare detected in the body.

PRIOR ART

Spirocyclic piperidine derivatives are described in WO 2012/046642 A1 asFAS inhibitors for the treatment of cancer.

Cyclopentanecarboxamide derivatives are described in WO 2011/048018 A1as FAS inhibitors for the treatment of obesity and diabetes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to compounds of the formula I

in which

-   R¹ denotes A or Cyc,-   R² denotes H, F, Cl, Br, OH, CN, NO₂, A′, OA′, SA′, SO₂Me, COA′ or    CONA′₂,-   R denotes Ar or Het,-   X¹, X², X³, X⁴ each, independently of one another, denote CH or N,-   A denotes unbranched or branched alkyl with 1-10 C-atoms, wherein    two adjacent carbon atoms may form a double bond and/or one or two    non-adjacent CH- and/or CH₂-groups may be replaced by N—, O—and/or    S-atoms and wherein 1-7 H-atoms may be replaced by R⁴,-   Cyc denotes cycloalkyl with 3-7 C-atoms, which is unsubstituted or    monosubstituted by OH, Hal or A,-   A′ denotes unbranched or branched alkyl with 1-6 C-atoms, wherein    1-5 H-atoms may be replaced by F,-   R⁴ denotes F, Cl, Br, OH, CN, NO₂, A′, OA′, SA′, SO₂Me, COA′ or    CONA′₂,-   Ar denotes phenyl, which is unsubstituted, or mono-, di-, tri-,    tetra- or pentasubstituted by Hal, A, [C(R³)₂]_(p)OR³,    [C(R³)₂]_(p)N(R³)₂, NO₂, CN, [C(R³)₂]_(p)COOR³, [C(R³)₂]_(p)N(R³)₂,    N(R³)₂COA, NR³SO₂A, [C(R³)₂]_(p)SO₂N(R³)₂, S(O)_(n)A,    O[C(R³)₂]_(m)N(R³)₂, NHCOOA, NHCON(R³)₂ and/or COA,-   R³ denotes H or unbranched or branched alkyl with 1-6 C-atoms,-   Het denotes a mono- or bicyclic saturated, unsaturated or aromatic    heterocycle having 1 to 4 N, O and/or S atoms, which may be    unsubstituted or mono-, di-, tri-, tetra- or pentasubstituted by    Hal, A, [C(R³)₂]_(n)OR³, [C(R³)₂]_(n)N(R³)₂, SR³, NO₂, CN, COOR³,    CON(R³)₂, NR³COA, NR³SO₂A, SO₂N(R³)₂, S(O)_(m)A,    O[C(R³)₂]_(n)N(R³)₂, NHCOOA, NHCON(R³)₂, CHO, COA, ═S, ═NH, ═NA    and/or ═O (carbonyl oxygen),-   Hal denotes F, Cl, Br or I,-   n1, n2, n3, n4 each, independently of one another, denote 0, 1 or 2,-   m denotes 1, 2 or 3,-   n denotes 0, 1 or 2,-   p denotes 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4,

with the proviso that only one or two of X¹, X², X³, X⁴ denote N,

and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, tautomers and stereoisomersthereof, including mixtures thereof in all ratios.

The invention also relates to the optically active forms(stereoisomers), the enantiomers, the racemates, the diastereomers andthe hydrates and solvates of these compounds.

Moreover, the invention relates to pharmaceutically acceptablederivatives of compounds of formula I.

The term solvates of the compounds is taken to mean adductions of inertsolvent molecules onto the compounds which form owing to their mutualattractive force. Solvates are, for example, mono- or dihydrates oralkoxides.

It is understood, that the invention also relates to the solvates of thesalts. The term pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives is taken tomean, for example, the salts of the compounds according to the inventionand also so-called prodrug compounds.

As used herein and unless otherwise indicated, the term “prodrug” meansa derivative of a compound of formula I that can hydrolyze, oxidize, orotherwise react under biological conditions (in vitro or in vivo) toprovide an active compound, particularly a compound of formula I.Examples of prodrugs include, but are not limited to, derivatives andmetabolites of a compound of formula I that include biohydrolyzablemoieties such as biohydrolyzable amides, biohydrolyzable esters,biohydrolyzable carbamates, biohydrolyzable carbonates, biohydrolyzableureides, and biohydrolyzable phosphate analogues. In certainembodiments, prodrugs of compounds with carboxyl functional groups arethe lower alkyl esters of the carboxylic acid. The carboxylate estersare conveniently formed by esterifying any of the carboxylic acidmoieties present on the molecule. Prodrugs can typically be preparedusing well-known methods, such as those described by Burger's MedicinalChemistry and Drug Discovery 6th ed. (Donald J. Abraham ed., 2001,Wiley) and Design and Application of Prodrugs (H. Bundgaard ed., 1985,Harwood Academic Publishers Gmfh).

The expression “effective amount” denotes the amount of a medicament orof a pharmaceutical active ingredient which causes in a tissue, system,animal or human a biological or medical response which is sought ordesired, for example, by a researcher or physician.

In addition, the expression “therapeutically effective amount” denotesan amount which, compared with a corresponding subject who has notreceived this amount, has the following consequence:

improved treatment, healing, prevention or elimination of a disease,syndrome, condition, complaint, disorder or side-effects or also thereduction in the advance of a disease, complaint or disorder.

The expression “therapeutically effective amount” also encompasses theamounts which are effective for increasing normal physiologicalfunction.

The invention also relates to the use of mixtures of the compounds ofthe formula I, for example mixtures of two diastereomers, for example inthe ratio 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 1:10, 1:100 or 1:1000.

These are particularly preferably mixtures of stereoisomeric compounds.

“Tautomers” refers to isomeric forms of a compound that are inequilibrium with each other. The concentrations of the isomeric formswill depend on the environment the compound is found in and may bedifferent depending upon, for example, whether the compound is a solidor is in an organic or aqueous solution.

The invention relates to the compounds of the formula I and saltsthereof and to a process for the preparation of compounds of the formulaI and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, tautomers andstereoisomers thereof, characterised in that

a compound of the formula II

-   -   in which R¹, R², X¹, X², X³, X⁴, n1, n2, n3 and n4 have the        meanings indicated in Claim 1, and    -   Y denotes Br or I,

is reacted with a compound of the formula IIIR-L   III

-   -   in which R has the meaning indicated in Claim 1,    -   and L denotes a boronic acid or a boronic acid ester group,

in a Suzuki-type coupling,

and/or

a base or acid of the formula I is converted into one of its salts.

Above and below, the radicals R¹, R², R, X¹, X², X³, X⁴, n1, n2, n3 andn4 have the meanings indicated for the formula I, unless expresslystated otherwise.

A denotes alkyl, this is unbranched (linear) or branched, and has 1, 2,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 C atoms. A preferably denotes methyl,furthermore ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl ortert-butyl, furthermore also pentyl, 1-, 2- or 3-methylbutyl, 1,1-, 1,2-or 2,2-dimethylpropyl, 1-ethylpropyl, hexyl, 1-, 2-, 3- or4-methylpentyl, 1,1-, 1,2-, 1,3-, 2,2-, 2,3- or 3,3-dimethylbutyl, 1- or2-ethylbutyl, 1-ethyl-1-methylpropyl, 1-ethyl-2-methyl-propyl, 1,1,2- or1,2,2-trimethylpropyl, furthermore preferably, for example,trifluoromethyl.

A very particularly preferably denotes alkyl having 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 Catoms, preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl,sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, trifluoromethyl, pentafluoroethylor 1,1,1-trifluoroethyl. Moreover, A denotes preferably CH₂OCH₃,CH₂CH₂OH or CH₂CH₂OCH₃. Cyc denotes cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl,cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl or cycloheptyl, preferably unsubstituted ormonosubstituted by OH, Hal or A.

R² preferably denotes H.

R³ preferably denotes H, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, pentylor hexyl, particularly preferably H or methyl.

n1, n2, n3, n4 very particularly preferably denote 1.

Ar denotes preferably o-, m- or p-tolyl, o-, m- or p-ethylphenyl, o-, m-or p-propylphenyl, o-, m- or p-isopropylphenyl, o-, m- orp-tert-butylphenyl, o-, m- or p-hydroxyphenyl, o-, m- or p-nitrophenyl,o-, m- or p-aminophenyl, o-, m- or p-(N-methylamino)phenyl, o-, m- orp-(N-methylaminocarbonyl)phenyl, o-, m- or p-methoxyphenyl, o-, m- orp-ethoxyphenyl, o-, m- or p-ethoxycarbonyl-phenyl, o-, m- orp-(N,N-dimethylamino)phenyl, o-, m- orp-(N,N-dimethyl-aminocarbonyl)phenyl, o-, m- or p-(N-ethylamino)phenyl,o-, m- or p-(N,N-diethylamino)phenyl, o-, m- or p-fluorophenyl, o-, m-or p-bromophenyl, o-, m- or p-chlorophenyl, o-, m- orp-(methylsulfonamido)phenyl, o-, m- or p-(methyl-sulfonyl)phenyl, o-, m-or p-cyanophenyl, o-, m- or p-carboxyphenyl, o-, m- orp-methoxycarbonylphenyl, o-, m- or p-formylphenyl, o-, m- orp-acetylphenyl, o-, m- or p-aminosulfonylphenyl, o-, m- orp-[2-(morpholin-4-yl)ethoxy]phenyl, o-, m- orp-[3-(N,N-diethylamino)propoxy]phenyl, furthermore preferably 2,3-,2,4-, 2,5-, 2,6-, 3,4- or 3,5-difluorophenyl, 2,3-, 2,4-, 2,5-, 2,6-,3,4- or 3,5-dichlorophenyl, 2,3-, 2,4-, 2,5-, 2,6-, 3,4- or3,5-dibromophenyl, 2,4- or 2,5-dinitrophenyl, 2,5- or3,4-dimethoxyphenyl, 3-nitro-4-chlorophenyl, 3-amino-4-chloro-,2-amino-3-chloro-, 2-amino-4-chloro-, 2-amino-5-chloro- or2-amino-6-chlorophenyl, 2-nitro-4-N,N-dimethylamino- or3-nitro-4-N,N-dimethylamino-phenyl, 2,3-diaminophenyl, 2,3,4-, 2,3,5-,2,3,6-, 2,4,6- or 3,4,5-tri-chlorophenyl, 2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl,2-hydroxy-3,5-dichlorophenyl, p-iodo-phenyl, 3,6-dichloro-4-aminophenyl,4-fluoro-3-chlorophenyl, 2-fluoro-4-bromophenyl,2,5-difluoro-4-bromophenyl, 3-bromo-6-methoxyphenyl,3-chloro-6-methoxyphenyl, 3-chloro-4-acetamidophenyl,3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl, 3-amino-6-methylphenyl,3-chloro-4-acetamidophenyl or 2,5-dimethyl-4-chlorophenyl.

Ar furthermore preferably denotes phenyl, which is monosubstituted byHal, A or [C(R²)₂]_(p)COOR².

Irrespective of further substitutions, Het denotes, for example, 2- or3-furyl, 2- or 3-thienyl, 1-, 2- or 3-pyrrolyl, 1-, 2,4- or5-imidazolyl, 1-, 3-, 4- or 5-pyrazolyl, 2-, 4- or 5-oxazolyl, 3-, 4- or5-isoxazolyl, 2-, 4- or 5-thiazolyl, 3-, 4- or 5-isothiazolyl, 2-, 3- or4-pyridyl, 2-, 4-, 5- or 6-pyrimidinyl, furthermore preferably1,2,3-triazol-1-, -4- or -5-yl, 1,2,4-triazol-1-, -3- or 5-yl, 1- or5-tetrazolyl, 1,2,3-oxadiazol-4- or -5-yl, 1,2,4-oxadiazol-3- or -5-yl,1,3,4-thiadiazol-2- or -5-yl, 1,2,4-thiadiazol-3- or -5-yl,1,2,3-thiadiazol-4- or -5-yl, 3- or 4-pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, 1-, 2-,3-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-indolyl, 4- or 5-isoindolyl, indazolyl, 1-, 2-, 4-or 5-benzimidazolyl, 1-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-benzopyrazolyl, 2-, 4-, 5-,6- or 7-benzoxazolyl, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7- benzisoxazolyl, 2-, 4-, 5-,6- or 7-benzothiazolyl, 2-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-benzisothiazolyl, 4-, 5-, 6-or 7-benz-2,1,3-oxadiazolyl, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-quinolyl, 1-,3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-iso-quinolyl, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or8-cinnolinyl, 2-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-quinazolinyl, 5- or6-quinoxalinyl, 2-, 3-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-2H-benzo-1,4-oxazinyl, furtherpreferably 1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl, 1,4-benzodioxan-6-yl,2,1,3-benzothiadiazol-4-, -5-yl or 2,1,3-benzoxadiazol-5-yl,azabicyclo[3.2.1]octyl or dibenzofuranyl.

The heterocyclic radicals may also be partially or fully hydrogenated.Irrespective of further substitutions, Het can thus also denote, forexample, 2,3-dihydro-2-, -3-, -4- or -5-furyl, 2,5-dihydro-2-, -3-, -4-or 5-furyl, tetrahydro-2- or -3-furyl, 1,3-dioxolan-4-yl, tetrahydro-2-or -3-thienyl, 2,3-dihydro-1-, -2-, -3-, -4- or -5-pyrrolyl,2,5-dihydro-1-, -2-, -3-, -4- or -5-pyrrolyl, 1-, 2- or 3-pyrrolidinyl,tetrahydro-1-, -2- or -4-imidazolyl, 2,3-dihydro-1-, -2-, -3-, -4- or-5-pyrazolyl, tetrahydro-1-, -3- or -4-pyrazolyl, 1,4-dihydro-1-, -2-,-3- or -4-pyridyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-, -2-, -3-, -4-, -5- or-6-pyridyl, 1-, 2-, 3- or 4-piperidinyl, 2-, 3- or 4-morpholinyl,tetrahydro-2-, -3- or -4-pyranyl, 1,4-dioxanyl, 1,3-dioxan-2-, -4- or-5-yl, hexahydro-1-, -3- or -4-pyridazinyl, hexahydro-1-, -2-, -4- or-5-pyrimidinyl, 1-, 2- or 3-piperazinyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-, -2-,-3-, -4-, -5-, -6-, -7- or -8-quinolyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-,-2-,-3-,-4-, -5-, -6-, -7- or -8-isoquinolyl, 2-, 3-, 5-, 6-, 7- or8-3,4-dihydro-2H-benzo-1,4-oxazinyl, furthermore preferably2,3-methylenedioxyphenyl, 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl,2,3-ethylenedioxyphenyl, 3,4-ethylenedioxyphenyl,3,4-(difluoromethylenedioxy)phenyl, 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-5- or 6-yl,2,3-(2-oxomethylenedioxy)phenyl or also3,4-dihydro-2H-1,5-benzodioxepin-6- or -7-yl, furthermore preferably2,3-dihydrobenzofuranyl, 2,3-dihydro-2-oxofuranyl,3,4-dihydro-2-oxo-1H-quinazolinyl, 2,3-dihydrobenzoxazolyl,2-oxo-2,3-di-hydrobenzoxazolyl, 2,3-dihydrobenzimidazolyl,1,3-dihydroindole, 2-oxo-1,3-dihydroindole or2-oxo-2,3-dihydrobenzimidazolyl.

Het preferably denotes a mono- or bicyclic aromatic heterocycle having 1to 4 N, O and/or S atoms, which may be unsubstituted or mono-ordisubstituted by Hal or A.

Het furthermore preferably denotes furyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl,pyrazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, pyridyl,pyrimidinyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl,pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, benzoxazolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzimidazolyl,benzotriazolyl, indolyl, benzo-1,3-dioxolyl, benzodioxanyl,benzothiadiazolyl, indazolyl, benzofuranyl, quinolyl or isoquinolyl,which may be unsubstituted or mono-or disubstituted by Hal or A. Hetvery particularly preferably denotes benzoxazolyl, benzothiazolyl,benzimidazolyl, benzotriazolyl, indolyl, benzo-1,3-dioxolyl,benzodioxanyl, benzothiadiazolyl, indazolyl, benzofuranyl, quinolyl orisoquinolyl.

Hal preferably denotes F, Cl or Br, but also I, particularly preferablyF or Cl.

Throughout the invention, all radicals which occur more than once may beidentical or different, i.e. are independent of one another.

The compounds of the formula I may have one or more chiral centres andcan therefore occur in various stereoisomeric forms. The formula Iencompasses all these forms.

Accordingly, the invention relates, in particular, to the compounds ofthe formula I in which at least one of the said radicals has one of thepreferred meanings indicated above. Some preferred groups of compoundsmay be expressed by the following sub-formulae Ia to Ik, which conformto the formula I and in which the radicals not designated in greaterdetail have the meaning indicated for the formula I, but in which

-   in Ia X¹, X³ denote CH,    -   X², X⁴ denote N;-   in Ib X¹, X², X³, X⁴ denote CH,-   in Ic X¹, X³, X⁴ denote CH,    -   X² denotes N;-   in Id X¹, X², X³ denote CH,    -   X⁴ denotes N;-   in Ie X¹, X² denote CH,    -   X³, X⁴ denote N;-   in If X³, X⁴ denote CH,    -   X¹, X² denote N;-   in Ig R² denotes H;-   in Ih Het denotes a mono- or bicyclic aromatic heterocycle having 1    to 4 N, O and/or S atoms, which may be unsubstituted or mono-or    disubstituted by Hal or A;-   in Ii Het denotes furyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl,    oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl,    triazolyl, tetrazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyridazinyl,    pyrazinyl, benzoxazolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzimidazolyl,    benzotriazolyl, indolyl, benzo-1,3-dioxolyl, benzodioxanyl,    benzothiadiazolyl, indazolyl, benzofuranyl, quinolyl or isoquinolyl,    which may be unsubstituted or mono-or disubstituted by Hal or A;-   in Ij Het denotes benzoxazolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzimidazolyl,    benzotriazolyl, indolyl, benzo-1,3-dioxolyl, benzodioxanyl,    benzothiadiazolyl, indazolyl, benzofuranyl, quinolyl or isoquinolyl;-   in Ik R¹ denotes A or Cyc,    -   R² denotes H,    -   R denotes Het,    -   X¹, X², X³, X⁴ each, independently of one another, denote CH or        N,    -   A denotes unbranched or branched alkyl with 1-6 C-atoms, wherein        1-5 H-atoms may be replaced by F,    -   Cyc denotes cycloalkyl with 3-7 C-atoms,    -   Het denotes furyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl,        oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, pyridyl,        pyrimidinyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl,        pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, benzoxazolyl, benzothiazolyl,        benzimidazolyl, benzotriazolyl, indolyl, benzo-1,3-dioxolyl,        benzodioxanyl, benzothiadiazolyl, indazolyl, benzofuranyl,        quinolyl or isoquinolyl, which may be unsubstituted or mono-or        disubstituted by Hal or A,    -   Hal denotes F, Cl, Br or I,    -   n1, n2, n3, n4 each, independently of one another, denote 0, 1        or 2,    -   with the proviso that only one or two of X¹, X², X³, X⁴ denote        N, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, tautomers and        stereoisomers thereof, including mixtures thereof in all ratios.

The compounds of the formula I and also the starting materials for theirpreparation are, in addition, prepared by methods known per se, asdescribed in the literature (for example in the standard works, such asHouben-Weyl, Methoden der organischen Chemie [Methods of OrganicChemistry], Georg-Thieme-Verlag, Stuttgart), to be precise underreaction conditions which are known and suitable for the said reactions.Use can also be made here of variants known per se which are notmentioned here in greater detail.

The starting compounds of the formulae II and III are generally known.If they are novel, however, they can be prepared by methods known perse.

Compounds of the formula I can preferably be obtained by reacting acompound of the formula II with a compound of the formula III. In thecompounds of the formula III, L preferably denotes

The reaction is generally carried out under conditions of a Suzuki-typecoupling.

Depending on the conditions used, the reaction time is between a fewminutes and 14 days, the reaction temperature is between about −30° and160°, normally between 20° and 160°, in particular between about 100°and about 160°.

Examples of suitable inert solvents are hydrocarbons, such as hexane,petroleum ether, benzene, toluene or xylene; chlorinated hydrocarbons,such as trichloroethylene, 1,2-dichloroethane, carbon tetrachloride,chloroform or dichloromethane; alcohols, such as methanol, ethanol,isopropanol, n-propanol, n-butanol or tert-butanol; ethers, such asdiethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, tetrahydrofuran (THF) or dioxane;glycol ethers, such as ethylene glycol monomethyl or monoethyl ether,ethylene glycol dimethyl ether (diglyme); ketones, such as acetone orbutanone; amides, such as acetamide, dimethylacetamide ordimethylformamide (DMF); nitriles, such as acetonitrile; sulfoxides,such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO); carbon disulfide; carboxylic acids,such as formic acid or acetic acid; nitro compounds, such asnitromethane or nitrobenzene; esters, such as ethyl acetate, or mixturesof the said solvents.

Particular preference is given to dioxane.

Pharmaceutical Salts and Other Forms

The said compounds according to the invention can be used in their finalnon-salt form. On the other hand, the present invention also encompassesthe use of these compounds in the form of their pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts, which can be derived from various organic andinorganic acids and bases by procedures known in the art.Pharmaceutically acceptable salt forms of the compounds of the formula Iare for the most part prepared by conventional methods. If the compoundof the formula I contains a carboxyl group, one of its suitable saltscan be formed by reacting the compound with a suitable base to give thecorresponding base-addition salt. Such bases are, for example, alkalimetal hydroxides, including potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide andlithium hydroxide; alkaline earth metal hydroxides, such as bariumhydroxide and calcium hydroxide; alkali metal alkoxides, for examplepotassium ethoxide and sodium propoxide; and various organic bases, suchas piperidine, diethanolamine and N-methylglutamine. The aluminium saltsof the compounds of the formula I are likewise included. In the case ofcertain compounds of the formula I, acid-addition salts can be formed bytreating these compounds with pharmaceutically acceptable organic andinorganic acids, for example hydrogen halides, such as hydrogenchloride, hydrogen bromide or hydrogen iodide, other mineral acids andcorresponding salts thereof, such as sulfate, nitrate or phosphate andthe like, and alkyl- and monoarylsulfonates, such as ethanesulfonate,toluenesulfonate and benzenesulfonate, and other organic acids andcorresponding salts thereof, such as acetate, trifluoroacetate,tartrate, maleate, succinate, citrate, benzoate, salicylate, ascorbateand the like. Accordingly, pharmaceutically acceptable acid-additionsalts of the compounds of the formula I include the following: acetate,adipate, alginate, arginate, aspartate, benzoate, benzenesulfonate(besylate), bisulfate, bisulfite, bromide, butyrate, camphorate,camphorsulfonate, caprylate, chloride, chlorobenzoate, citrate,cyclopentanepropionate, digluconate, dihydrogenphosphate,dinitrobenzoate, dodecylsulfate, ethanesulfonate, fumarate, formate,galacterate (from mucic acid), galacturonate, glucoheptanoate,gluconate, glutamate, glycerophosphate, hemisuccinate, hemisulfate,heptanoate, hexanoate, hippurate, hydrochloride, hydrobromide,hydroiodide, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonate, iodide, isethionate, isobutyrate,lactate, lactobionate, malate, maleate, malonate, mandelate,metaphosphate, methanesulfonate, methylbenzoate, monohydrogenphosphate,2-naphthalenesulfonate, nicotinate, nitrate, oxalate, oleate, palmoate,pectinate, persulfate, phenylacetate, 3-phenylpropionate, phosphate,phosphonate, phthalate, but this does not represent a restriction.

Furthermore, the base salts of the compounds according to the inventioninclude aluminium, ammonium, calcium, copper, iron(III), iron(II),lithium, magnesium, manganese(III), manganese(II), potassium, sodium andzinc salts, but this is not intended to represent a restriction. Of theabove-mentioned salts, preference is given to ammonium; the alkali metalsalts sodium and potassium, and the alkaline earth metal salts calciumand magnesium. Salts of the compounds of the formula I which are derivedfrom pharmaceutically acceptable organic non-toxic bases include saltsof primary, secondary and tertiary amines, substituted amines, alsoincluding naturally occurring substituted amines, cyclic amines, andbasic ion exchanger resins, for example arginine, betaine, caffeine,chloroprocaine, choline, N,N′-dibenzylethylenediamine(benzathine),dicyclohexylamine, diethanolamine, diethylamine, 2-diethylaminoethanol,2-dimethylaminoethanol, ethanolamine, ethylenediamine,N-ethylmorpholine, N-ethylpiperidine, glucamine, glucosamine, histidine,hydrabamine, isopropylamine, lidocaine, lysine, meglumine,N-methyl-D-glucamine, morpholine, piperazine, piperidine, polyamineresins, procaine, purines, theobromine, triethanolamine, triethylamine,trimethylamine, tripropylamine andtris(hydroxymethyl)methylamine(tromethamine), but this is not intendedto represent a restriction.

Compounds of the present invention which contain basicnitrogen-containing groups can be quaternised using agents such as(C₁-C₄)alkyl halides, for example methyl, ethyl, isopropyl andtert-butyl chloride, bromide and iodide; di(C₁-C₄)alkyl sulfates, forexample dimethyl, diethyl and diamyl sulfate; (C₁₀-C₁₈)alkyl halides,for example decyl, dodecyl, lauryl, myristyl and stearyl chloride,bromide and iodide; and aryl(C₁-C₄)alkyl halides, for example benzylchloride and phenethyl bromide. Both water- and oil-soluble compoundsaccording to the invention can be prepared using such salts.

The above-mentioned pharmaceutical salts which are preferred includeacetate, trifluoroacetate, besylate, citrate, fumarate, gluconate,hemisuccinate, hippurate, hydrochloride, hydrobromide, isethionate,mandelate, meglumine, nitrate, oleate, phosphonate, pivalate, sodiumphosphate, stearate, sulfate, sulfosalicylate, tartrate, thiomalate,tosylate and tromethamine, but this is not intended to represent arestriction.

Particular preference is given to hydrochloride, dihydrochloride,hydrobromide, maleate, mesylate, phosphate, sulfate and succinate.

The acid-addition salts of basic compounds of the formula I are preparedby bringing the free base form into contact with a sufficient amount ofthe desired acid, causing the formation of the salt in a conventionalmanner. The free base can be regenerated by bringing the salt form intocontact with a base and isolating the free base in a conventionalmanner. The free base forms differ in a certain respect from thecorresponding salt forms thereof with respect to certain physicalproperties, such as solubility in polar solvents; for the purposes ofthe invention, however, the salts otherwise correspond to the respectivefree base forms thereof.

As mentioned, the pharmaceutically acceptable base-addition salts of thecompounds of the formula I are formed with metals or amines, such asalkali metals and alkaline earth metals or organic amines. Preferredmetals are sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium. Preferred organicamines are N,N′-dibenzylethylenediamine, chloroprocaine, choline,diethanolamine, ethylenediamine, N-methyl-D-glucamine and procaine.

The base-addition salts of acidic compounds according to the inventionare prepared by bringing the free acid form into contact with asufficient amount of the desired base, causing the formation of the saltin a conventional manner. The free acid can be regenerated by bringingthe salt form into contact with an acid and isolating the free acid in aconventional manner. The free acid forms differ in a certain respectfrom the corresponding salt forms thereof with respect to certainphysical properties, such as solubility in polar solvents; for thepurposes of the invention, however, the salts otherwise correspond tothe respective free acid forms thereof.

If a compound according to the invention contains more than one groupwhich is capable of forming pharmaceutically acceptable salts of thistype, the invention also encompasses multiple salts. Typical multiplesalt forms include, for example, bitartrate, diacetate, difumarate,dimeglumine, diphosphate, disodium and trihydrochloride, but this is notintended to represent a restriction.

With regard to that stated above, it can be seen that the expression“pharmaceutically acceptable salt” in the present connection is taken tomean an active ingredient which comprises a compound of the formula I inthe form of one of its salts, in particular if this salt form impartsimproved pharmacokinetic properties on the active ingredient comparedwith the free form of the active ingredient or any other salt form ofthe active ingredient used earlier. The pharmaceutically acceptable saltform of the active ingredient can also provide this active ingredientfor the first time with a desired pharmacokinetic property which it didnot have earlier and can even have a positive influence on thepharmacodynamics of this active ingredient with respect to itstherapeutic efficacy in the body.

Isotopes

There is furthermore intended that a compound of the formula I includesisotope-labelled forms thereof. An isotope-labelled form of a compoundof the formula I is identical to this compound apart from the fact thatone or more atoms of the compound have been replaced by an atom or atomshaving an atomic mass or mass number which differs from the atomic massor mass number of the atom which usually occurs naturally. Examples ofisotopes which are readily commercially available and which can beincorporated into a compound of the formula I by well-known methodsinclude isotopes of hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus,fluorine and chlorine, for example ²H, ³H, ¹³C, ¹⁴C, ¹⁵N, ¹⁸O, ¹⁷O, ³¹P,³²P, ³⁵S, ¹⁸F, and ³⁶Cl, respectively. A compound of the formula I, aprodrug, thereof or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of either whichcontains one or more of the above-mentioned isotopes and/or otherisotopes of other atoms is intended to be part of the present invention.An isotope-labelled compound of the formula I can be used in a number ofbeneficial ways. For example, an isotope-labelled compound of theformula I into which, for example, a radioisotope, such as ³H or ¹⁴C,has been incorporated is suitable for medicament and/or substrate tissuedistribution assays. These radioisotopes, i.e. tritium (³H) andcarbon-14 (¹⁴C), are particularly preferred owing to simple preparationand excellent detectability. Incorporation of heavier isotopes, forexample deuterium (²H), into a compound of the formula I has therapeuticadvantages owing to the higher metabolic stability of thisisotope-labelled compound. Higher metabolic stability translatesdirectly into an increased in vivo half-life or lower dosages, whichunder most circumstances would represent a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention. An isotope-labelled compound of the formula I canusually be prepared by carrying out the procedures disclosed in thesynthesis schemes and the related description, in the example part andin the preparation part in the present text, replacing anon-isotope-labelled reactant by a readily available isotope-labelledreactant. Deuterium (²H) can also be incorporated into a compound of theformula I for the purpose in order to manipulate the oxidativemetabolism of the compound by way of the primary kinetic isotope effect.The primary kinetic isotope effect is a change of the rate for achemical reaction that results from exchange of isotopic nuclei, whichin turn is caused by the change in ground state energies necessary forcovalent bond formation after this isotopic exchange. Exchange of aheavier isotope usually results in a lowering of the ground state energyfor a chemical bond and thus cause a reduction in the rate inrate-limiting bond breakage. If the bond breakage occurs in or in thevicinity of a saddle-point region along the coordinate of amulti-product reaction, the product distribution ratios can be alteredsubstantially. For explanation: if deuterium is bonded to a carbon atomat a non-exchangeable position, rate differences of k_(M)/k_(D)=2-7 aretypical. If this rate difference is successfully applied to a compoundof the formula I that is susceptible to oxidation, the profile of thiscompound in vivo can be drastically modified and result in improvedpharmacokinetic properties.

When discovering and developing therapeutic agents, the person skilledin the art attempts to optimise pharmacokinetic parameters whileretaining desirable in vitro properties. It is reasonable to assume thatmany compounds with poor pharmacokinetic profiles are susceptible tooxidative metabolism. In vitro liver microsomal assays currentlyavailable provide valuable information on the course of oxidativemetabolism of this type, which in turn permits the rational design ofdeuterated compounds of the formula I with improved stability throughresistance to such oxidative metabolism. Significant improvements in thepharmacokinetic profiles of compounds of the formula I are therebyobtained, and can be expressed quantitatively in terms of increases inthe in vivo half-life (t/2), concentration at maximum therapeutic effect(C_(max)), area under the dose response curve (AUC), and F; and in termsof reduced clearance, dose and materials costs.

The following is intended to illustrate the above: a compound of theformula I which has multiple potential sites of attack for oxidativemetabolism, for example benzylic hydrogen atoms and hydrogen atomsbonded to a nitrogen atom, is prepared as a series of analogues in whichvarious combinations of hydrogen atoms are replaced by deuterium atoms,so that some, most or all of these hydrogen atoms have been replaced bydeuterium atoms. Half-life determinations enable favourable and accuratedetermination of the extent of the extent to which the improvement inresistance to oxidative metabolism has improved. In this way, it isdetermined that the half-life of the parent compound can be extended byup to 100% as the result of deuterium-hydrogen exchange of this type.

Deuterium-hydrogen exchange in a compound of the formula I can also beused to achieve a favourable modification of the metabolite spectrum ofthe starting compound in order to diminish or eliminate undesired toxicmetabolites. For example, if a toxic metabolite arises through oxidativecarbon-hydrogen (C—H) bond cleavage, it can reasonably be assumed thatthe deuterated analogue will greatly diminish or eliminate production ofthe unwanted metabolite, even if the particular oxidation is not arate-determining step. Further information on the state of the art withrespect to deuterium-hydrogen exchange may be found, for example inHanzlik et al., J. Org. Chem. 55, 3992-3997, 1990, Reider et al., J.Org. Chem. 52, 3326-3334, 1987, Foster, Adv. Drug Res. 14, 1-40, 1985,Gillette et al, Biochemistry 33(10) 2927-2937, 1994, and Jarman et al.Carcinogenesis 16(4), 683-688, 1993.

The invention furthermore relates to medicaments comprising at least onecompound of the formula I and/or pharmaceutically acceptable salts,tautomers and stereoisomers thereof, including mixtures thereof in allratios, and optionally excipients and/or adjuvants.

Pharmaceutical formulations can be administered in the form of dosageunits which comprise a predetermined amount of active ingredient perdosage unit. Such a unit can comprise, for example, 0.5 mg to 1 g,preferably 1 mg to 700 mg, particularly preferably 5 mg to 100 mg, of acompound according to the invention, depending on the condition treated,the method of administration and the age, weight and condition of thepatient, or pharmaceutical formulations can be administered in the formof dosage units which comprise a predetermined amount of activeingredient per dosage unit. Preferred dosage unit formulations are thosewhich comprise a daily dose or part-dose, as indicated above, or acorresponding fraction thereof of an active ingredient. Furthermore,pharmaceutical formulations of this type can be prepared using a processwhich is generally known in the pharmaceutical art.

Pharmaceutical formulations can be adapted for administration via anydesired suitable method, for example by oral (including buccal orsublingual), rectal, nasal, topical (including buccal, sublingual ortransdermal), vaginal or parenteral (including subcutaneous,intramuscular, intravenous or intradermal) methods. Such formulationscan be prepared using all processes known in the pharmaceutical art by,for example, combining the active ingredient with the excipient(s) oradjuvant(s).

Pharmaceutical formulations adapted for oral administration can beadministered as separate units, such as, for example, capsules ortablets; powders or granules; solutions or suspensions in aqueous ornon-aqueous liquids; edible foams or foam foods; or oil-in-water liquidemulsions or water-in-oil liquid emulsions.

Thus, for example, in the case of oral administration in the form of atablet or capsule, the active-ingredient component can be combined withan oral, non-toxic and pharmaceutically acceptable inert excipient, suchas, for example, ethanol, glycerol, water and the like. Powders areprepared by comminuting the compound to a suitable fine size and mixingit with a pharmaceutical excipient comminuted in a similar manner, suchas, for example, an edible carbohydrate, such as, for example, starch ormannitol. A flavour, preservative, dispersant and dye may likewise bepresent.

Capsules are produced by preparing a powder mixture as described aboveand filling shaped gelatine shells therewith. Glidants and lubricants,such as, for example, highly disperse silicic acid, talc, magnesiumstearate, calcium stearate or polyethylene glycol in solid form, can beadded to the powder mixture before the filling operation. A disintegrantor solubiliser, such as, for example, agar-agar, calcium carbonate orsodium carbonate, may likewise be added in order to improve theavailability of the medicament after the capsule has been taken.

In addition, if desired or necessary, suitable binders, lubricants anddisintegrants as well as dyes can likewise be incorporated into themixture. Suitable binders include starch, gelatine, natural sugars, suchas, for example, glucose or beta-lactose, sweeteners made from maize,natural and synthetic rubber, such as, for example, acacia, tragacanthor sodium alginate, carboxymethylcellulose, polyethylene glycol, waxes,and the like. The lubricants used in these dosage forms include sodiumoleate, sodium stearate, magnesium stearate, sodium benzoate, sodiumacetate, sodium chloride and the like. The disintegrants include,without being restricted thereto, starch, methylcellulose, agar,bentonite, xanthan gum and the like. The tablets are formulated by, forexample, preparing a powder mixture, granulating or dry-pressing themixture, adding a lubricant and a disintegrant and pressing the entiremixture to give tablets. A powder mixture is prepared by mixing thecompound comminuted in a suitable manner with a diluent or a base, asdescribed above, and optionally with a binder, such as, for example,carboxymethylcellulose, an alginate, gelatine or polyvinylpyrrolidone, adissolution retardant, such as, for example, paraffin, an absorptionaccelerator, such as, for example, a quaternary salt, and/or anabsorbant, such as, for example, bentonite, kaolin or dicalciumphosphate. The powder mixture can be granulated by wetting it with abinder, such as, for example, syrup, starch paste, acadia mucilage orsolutions of cellulose or polymer materials and pressing it through asieve. As an alternative to granulation, the powder mixture can be runthrough a tabletting machine, giving lumps of non-uniform shape, whichare broken up to form granules. The granules can be lubricated byaddition of stearic acid, a stearate salt, talc or mineral oil in orderto prevent sticking to the tablet casting moulds. The lubricated mixtureis then pressed to give tablets. The compounds according to theinvention can also be combined with a free-flowing inert excipient andthen pressed directly to give tablets without carrying out thegranulation or dry-pressing steps. A transparent or opaque protectivelayer consisting of a shellac sealing layer, a layer of sugar or polymermaterial and a gloss layer of wax may be present. Dyes can be added tothese coatings in order to be able to differentiate between differentdosage units.

Oral liquids, such as, for example, solution, syrups and elixirs, can beprepared in the form of dosage units so that a given quantity comprisesa pre-specified amount of the compound. Syrups can be prepared bydissolving the compound in an aqueous solution with a suitable flavour,while elixirs are prepared using a non-toxic alcoholic vehicle.Suspensions can be formulated by dispersion of the compound in anon-toxic vehicle. Solubilisers and emulsifiers, such as, for example,ethoxylated isostearyl alcohols and polyoxyethylene sorbitol ethers,preservatives, flavour additives, such as, for example, peppermint oilor natural sweeteners or saccharin, or other artificial sweeteners andthe like, can likewise be added.

The dosage unit formulations for oral administration can, if desired, beencapsulated in microcapsules. The formulation can also be prepared insuch a way that the release is extended or retarded, such as, forexample, by coating or embedding of particulate material in polymers,wax and the like.

The compounds of the formula I and pharmaceutically acceptable salts,tautomers and stereoisomers thereof can also be administered in the formof liposome delivery systems, such as, for example, small unilamellarvesicles, large unilamellar vesicles and multilamellar vesicles.Liposomes can be formed from various phospholipids, such as, forexample, cholesterol, stearylamine or phosphatidylcholines.

The compounds of the formula I and the pharmaceutically acceptablesalts, tautomers and physiologically functional derivatives thereof canalso be delivered using monoclonal antibodies as individual carriers towhich the compound molecules are coupled. The compounds can also becoupled to soluble polymers as targeted medicament carriers. Suchpolymers may encompass polyvinylpyrrolidone, pyran copolymer,polyhydroxypropylmethacrylamidophenol, polyhydroxyethylaspartamidophenolor polyethylene oxide polylysine, substituted by palmitoyl radicals. Thecompounds may furthermore be coupled to a class of biodegradablepolymers which are suitable for achieving controlled release of amedicament, for example polylactic acid, polyepsiloncaprolactone,polyhydroxybutyric acid, polyorthoesters, polyacetals,polydihydroxypyrans, polycyanoacrylates and crosslinked or amphipathicblock copolymers of hydrogels.

Pharmaceutical formulations adapted for transdermal administration canbe administered as independent plasters for extended, close contact withthe epidermis of the recipient. Thus, for example, the active ingredientcan be delivered from the plaster by iontophoresis, as described ingeneral terms in Pharmaceutical Research, 3(6), 318 (1986).

Pharmaceutical compounds adapted for topical administration can beformulated as ointments, creams, suspensions, lotions, powders,solutions, pastes, gels, sprays, aerosols or oils.

For the treatment of the eye or other external tissue, for example mouthand skin, the formulations are preferably applied as topical ointment orcream. In the case of formulation to give an ointment, the activeingredient can be employed either with a paraffinic or a water-misciblecream base. Alternatively, the active ingredient can be formulated togive a cream with an oil-in-water cream base or a water-in-oil base.

Pharmaceutical formulations adapted for topical application to the eyeinclude eye drops, in which the active ingredient is dissolved orsuspended in a suitable carrier, in particular an aqueous solvent.

Pharmaceutical formulations adapted for topical application in the mouthencompass lozenges, pastilles and mouthwashes.

Pharmaceutical formulations adapted for rectal administration can beadministered in the form of suppositories or enemas.

Pharmaceutical formulations adapted for nasal administration in whichthe carrier substance is a solid comprise a coarse powder having aparticle size, for example, in the range 20-500 microns, which isadministered in the manner in which snuff is taken, i.e. by rapidinhalation via the nasal passages from a container containing the powderheld close to the nose. Suitable formulations for administration asnasal spray or nose drops with a liquid as carrier substance encompassactive-ingredient solutions in water or oil.

Pharmaceutical formulations adapted for administration by inhalationencompass finely particulate dusts or mists, which can be generated byvarious types of pressurised dispensers with aerosols, nebulisers orinsufflators.

Pharmaceutical formulations adapted for vaginal administration can beadministered as pessaries, tampons, creams, gels, pastes, foams or sprayformulations.

Pharmaceutical formulations adapted for parenteral administrationinclude aqueous and non-aqueous sterile injection solutions comprisingantioxidants, buffers, bacteriostatics and solutes, by means of whichthe formulation is rendered isotonic with the blood of the recipient tobe treated; and aqueous and non-aqueous sterile suspensions, which maycomprise suspension media and thickeners. The formulations can beadministered in single-dose or multidose containers, for example sealedampoules and vials, and stored in freeze-dried (lyophilised) state, sothat only the addition of the sterile carrier liquid, for example waterfor injection purposes, immediately before use is necessary. Injectionsolutions and suspensions prepared in accordance with the recipe can beprepared from sterile powders, granules and tablets.

It goes without saying that, in addition to the above particularlymentioned constituents, the formulations may also comprise other agentsusual in the art with respect to the particular type of formulation;thus, for example, formulations which are suitable for oraladministration may comprise flavours.

A therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the formula Idepends on a number of factors, including, for example, the age andweight of the animal, the precise condition that requires treatment, andits severity, the nature of the formulation and the method ofadministration, and is ultimately determined by the treating doctor orvet. However, an effective amount of a compound according to theinvention is generally in the range from 0.1 to 100 mg/kg of body weightof the recipient (mammal) per day and particularly typically in therange from 1 to 10 mg/kg of body weight per day. Thus, the actual amountper day for an adult mammal weighing 70 kg is usually between 70 and 700mg, where this amount can be administered as a single dose per day orusually in a series of part-doses (such as, for example, two, three,four, five or six) per day, so that the total daily dose is the same. Aneffective amount of a salt or solvate or of a physiologically functionalderivative thereof can be determined as the fraction of the effectiveamount of the compound according to the invention per se. It can beassumed that similar doses are suitable for the treatment of otherconditions mentioned above.

A combined treatment of this type can be achieved with the aid ofsimultaneous, consecutive or separate dispensing of the individualcomponents of the treatment. Combination products of this type employthe compounds according to the invention.

The invention furthermore relates to medicaments comprising at least onecompound of the formula I and/or pharmaceutically acceptable salts,tauotmers and stereoisomers thereof, including mixtures thereof in allratios, and at least one further medicament active ingredient.

The invention also relates to a set (kit) consisting of separate packsof

-   (a) an effective amount of a compound of the formula I and/or    pharmaceutically acceptable salts, tautomers and stereoisomers    thereof, including mixtures thereof in all ratios, and-   (b) an effective amount of a further medicament active ingredient.

The set comprises suitable containers, such as boxes, individualbottles, bags or ampoules. The set may, for example, comprise separateampoules, each containing an effective amount of a compound of theformula I and/or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates andstereoisomers thereof, including mixtures thereof in all ratios,

and an effective amount of a further medicament active ingredient indissolved or lyophilised form.

“Treating” as used herein, means an alleviation, in whole or in part, ofsymptoms associated with a disorder or disease, or slowing, or haltingof further progression or worsening of those symptoms, or prevention orprophylaxis of the disease or disorder in a subject at risk fordeveloping the disease or disorder.

The term “effective amount” in connection with a compound of formula (I)can mean an amount capable of alleviating, in whole or in part, symptomsassociated with a disorder or disease, or slowing or halting furtherprogression or worsening of those symptoms, or preventing or providingprophylaxis for the disease or disorder in a subject having or at riskfor developing a disease disclosed herein, such as inflammatoryconditions, immunological conditions, cancer or metabolic conditions.

In one embodiment an effective amount of a compound of formula (I) is anamount that inhibits a tankyrase in a cell, such as, for example, invitro or in vivo. In some embodiments, the effective amount of thecompound of formula (I) inhibits tankyrase in a cell by 10%, 20%, 30%,40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or 99%, compared to the activity oftankyrase in an untreated cell. The effective amount of the compound offormula (I), for example in a pharmaceutical composition, may be at alevel that will exercise the desired effect; for example, about 0.005mg/kg of a subject's body weight to about 10 mg/kg of a subject's bodyweight in unit dosage for both oral and parenteral administration.

Use

The present compounds of formula I are useful for treating or preventingcardiovascular disorders and/or conditions. Treatment with the presentcompounds is expected to lower the cardiovascular morbidity andmortality associated with atherosclerosis due to their antidyslipidaemicas well as anti-inflammatory properties. The cardiovascular diseaseconditions include macro-angiopathies of various internal organs causingmyocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular diseaseand peripheral arterial insufficiency of the lower extremities. Becauseof their insulin sensitizing effect the compounds of formula I are alsoexpected to prevent or delay the development of type 2 diabetes from themetabolic syndrome and diabetes of pregnancy. Therefore the developmentof long-term complications associated with chronic hyperglycaemia indiabetes mellitus, such as the micro-angiopathies causing renal disease,retinal damage and peripheral vascular disease of the lower limbs, isexpected to be delayed.

In addition the present compounds of formula I are useful for treatingor preventing inflammatory and/or neurodegenerative disorders and/orconditions. Examples of such disorders or conditions are polycysticovarian syndrome and states of inflammatory disease includingneurodegenerative disorders such as mild cognitive impairment,Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis.

The compounds of the present invention may also be useful for decreasingsebum production in sebaceous glands of the skin following systemic ortopical application. Diseases of the sebaceous gland are acne,seborrhea, sebaceoma and sebaceous carcinoma. The pathogenesis of acneinvolves lipid (over)production by the sebaceous gland and thereforecompound of the present invention may be particularly useful in thetreatment of acne. Moreover, compounds of formula I may be useful asantimycobacterial agents in the treatment of mycobacterial infections,such as e.g. tuberculosis. Compounds of the invention may be useful totreat conditions associated with viral infection like e.g. Hepatitis C,AIDS, Polio, Influenza, warts.

Examples of inflammatory diseases include rheumatoid arthritis,psoriasis, contact dermatitis, delayed hypersensitivity reaction and thelike.

Also encompassed is the use of the compounds of the formula I and/orpharmaceutically acceptable salts, tautomers and stereoisomers thereoffor the preparation of a medicament for the treatment or prevention of aFASN-induced disease or a FASN-induced condition in a mammal, in whichto this method a therapeutically effective amount of a compoundaccording to the invention is administered to a sick mammal in need ofsuch treatment. The therapeutic amount varies according to the specificdisease and can be determined by the person skilled in the art withoutundue effort.

The expression “FASN-induced diseases or conditions” refers topathological conditions that depend on the activity of FASN. Diseasesassociated with FASN activity include cancer, multiple sclerosis,cardiovascular diseases, central nervous system injury and differentforms of inflammation.

The present invention specifically relates to compounds of the formula Iand pharmaceutically acceptable salts, tautomers and stereoisomersthereof, including mixtures thereof in all ratios,

for the use for the treatment of diseases in which the inhibition,regulation and/or modulation inhibition of FASN plays a role.

The present invention specifically relates to compounds of the formula Iand pharmaceutically acceptable salts, tautomers and stereoisomersthereof, including mixtures thereof in all ratios, for the use for theinhibition of FASN.

The present invention specifically relates to compounds of the formula Iand pharmaceutically acceptable salts, tautomers and stereoisomersthereof, including mixtures thereof in all ratios, for the use for thetreatment of cancer, multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular diseases,central nervous system injury and different forms of inflammation.

The present invention specifically relates to methods for treating orpreventing cancer, multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, centralnervous system injury and different forms of inflammation, comprisingadministering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of acompound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer,stereoisomer or solvate thereof.

Representative cancers that compounds of formula I are useful fortreating or preventing include, but are not limited to, cancer of thehead, neck, eye, mouth, throat, esophagus, bronchus, larynx, pharynx,chest, bone, lung, colon, rectum, stomach, prostate, urinary bladder,uterine, cervix, breast, ovaries, testicles or other reproductiveorgans, skin, thyroid, blood, lymph nodes, kidney, liver, pancreas,brain, central nervous system, solid tumors and blood-borne tumors.

Moreover, representative cancers that compounds of formula I are usefulfor treating or preventing include cancer of brain (gliomas),glioblastomas, leukemias, Bannayan-Zonana syndrome, Cowden disease,Lhermitte-Duclos disease, breast, inflammatory breast cancer, Wilm'stumor, Ewing's sarcoma, Rhabdomyosarcoma, ependymoma, medulloblastoma,colon, head and neck, kidney, lung, liver, melanoma, ovarian,pancreatic, prostate, sarcoma, osteosarcoma, giant cell tumor of boneand thyroid.

Representative cardiovascular diseases that compounds of formula I areuseful for treating or preventing include, but are not limited to,restenosis, atherosclerosis and its consequences such as stroke,myocardial infarction, ischemic damage to the heart, lung, gut, kidney,liver, pancreas, spleen or brain.

The present invention relates to a method of treating a proliferative,autoimmune, anti inflammatory or infectious disease disorder thatcomprises administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeuticallyeffective amount of a compound of formula I.

Preferably, the present invention relates to a method wherein thedisease is a cancer.

Particularly preferable, the present invention relates to a methodwherein the disease is a cancer, wherein administration is simultaneous,sequential or in alternation with administration of at least one otheractive drug agent.

The disclosed compounds of the formula I can be administered incombination with other known therapeutic agents, including anticanceragents. As used here, the term “anticancer agent” relates to any agentwhich is administered to a patient with cancer for the purposes oftreating the cancer.

The anti-cancer treatment defined herein may be applied as a soletherapy or may involve, in addition to the compound of the invention,conventional surgery or radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Such chemotherapymay include one or more of the following categories of anti-tumouragents:

(i) antiproliferative/antineoplastic/DNA-damaging agents andcombinations thereof, as used in medical oncology, such as alkylatingagents (for example cis-platin, carboplatin, cyclophosphamide, nitrogenmustard, melphalan, chloroambucil, busulphan and nitrosoureas);anti-metabolites (for example antifolates such as fluoropyrimidines like5-fluorouracil and tegafur, raltitrexed, methotrexate, cytosinearabinoside, hydroxyurea and gemcitabine); antitumour antibiotics (forexample anthracyclines, like adriamycin, bleomycin, doxorubicin,daunomycin, epirubicin, idarubicin, mitomycin-C, dactinomycin andmithramycin); antimitotic agents (for example vinca alkaloids, likevincristine, vinblastine, vindesine and vinorelbine, and taxoids, liketaxol and taxotere); topoisomerase inhibitors (for exampleepipodophyllotoxins, like etoposide and teniposide, amsacrine,topotecan, irinotecan and camptothecin) and cell-differentiating agents(for example all-trans-retinoic acid, 13-cis-retinoic acid andfenretinide);

(ii) cytostatic agents, such as antioestrogens (for example tamoxifen,toremifene, raloxifene, droloxifene and iodoxyfene), oestrogen receptordownregulators (for example fulvestrant), antiandrogens (for examplebicalutamide, flutamide, nilutamide and cyproterone acetate), LHRHantagonists or LHRH agonists (for example goserelin, leuprorelin andbuserelin), progesterones (for example megestrol acetate), aromataseinhibitors (for example as anastrozole, letrozole, vorazole andexemestane) and inhibitors of 5α-reductase, such as finasteride;

(iii) agents which inhibit cancer cell invasion (for examplemetalloproteinase inhibitors, like marimastat, and inhibitors ofurokinase plasminogen activator receptor function);

(iv) inhibitors of growth factor function, for example such inhibitorsinclude growth factor antibodies, growth factor receptor antibodies (forexample the anti-erbb2 antibody trastuzumab [Herceptin™] and theanti-erbbl antibody cetuximab [C225]), farnesyl transferase inhibitors,tyrosine kinase inhibitors and serine/threonine kinase inhibitors, forexample inhibitors of the epidermal growth factor family (for exampleEGFR family tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such asN-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-7-methoxy-6-(3-morpholinopropoxy)quinazolin-4-amine(gefitinib, AZD1839),N-(3-ethynyl-phenyl)-6,7-bis(2-methoxyethoxy)quinazolin-4-amine(erlotinib, OSI-774) and6-acrylamido-N-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-7-(3-morpholinopropoxy)-quinazolin-4-amine(CI 1033)), for example inhibitors of the platelet-derived growth factorfamily and for example inhibitors of the hepatocyte growth factorfamily;

(v) antiangiogenic agents, such as those which inhibit the effects ofvascular endothelial growth factor, (for example the anti-vascularendothelial cell growth factor antibody bevacizumab [Avastin™],compounds such as those disclosed in published international patentapplications WO 97/22596, WO 97/30035, WO 97/32856 and WO 98/13354) andcompounds that work by other mechanisms (for example linomide,inhibitors of integrin αvβ3 function and angiostatin);

(vi) vessel-damaging agents, such as combretastatin A4 and compoundsdisclosed in international patent applications WO 99/02166, WO 00/40529,WO 00/41669, WO 01/92224, WO 02/04434 and WO 02/08213;

(vii) antisense therapies, for example those which are directed to thetargets listed above, such as ISIS 2503, an anti-Ras antisense;

(viii) gene therapy approaches, including, for example, approaches forreplacement of aberrant genes, such as aberrant p53 or aberrant BRCA1 orBRCA2, GDEPT (gene-directed enzyme pro-drug therapy) approaches, such asthose using cytosine deaminase, thymidine kinase or a bacterialnitroreductase enzyme, and approaches for increasing patient toleranceto chemotherapy or radiotherapy, such as multi-drug resistance genetherapy; and

(ix) immunotherapy approaches, including, for example, ex-vivo andin-vivo approaches for increasing the immunogenicity of patient tumourcells, such as transfection with cytokines, such as interleukin 2,interleukin 4 or granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor,approaches for decreasing T-cell anergy, approaches using transfectedimmune cells, such as cytokine-transfected dendritic cells, approachesusing cytokine-transfected tumour cell lines, and approaches usinganti-idiotypic anti-bodies.

The medicaments from Table 1 below are preferably, but not exclusively,combined with the compounds of the formula I.

TABLE 1 Alkylating agents Cyclophosphamide Lomustine BusulfanProcarbazine Ifosfamide Altretamine Melphalan Estramustine phosphateHexamethylmelamine Mechloroethamine Thiotepa Streptozocin chloroambucilTemozolomide Dacarbazine Semustine Carmustine Platinum agents CisplatinCarboplatin Oxaliplatin ZD-0473 (AnorMED) Spiroplatin Lobaplatin(Aetema) Carboxyphthalatoplatinum Satraplatin (Johnson TetraplatinMatthey) Ormiplatin BBR-3464 Iproplatin (Hoffrnann-La Roche) SM-11355(Sumitomo) AP-5280 (Access) Antimetabolites Azacytidine TomudexGemcitabine Trimetrexate Capecitabine Deoxycoformycin 5-fluorouracilFludarabine Floxuridine Pentostatin 2-chlorodesoxyadenosine Raltitrexed6-Mercaptopurine Hydroxyurea 6-Thioguanine Decitabine (SuperGen)Cytarabine Clofarabine (Bioenvision) 2-fluorodesoxycytidine Irofulven(MGI Pharrna) Methotrexate DMDC (Hoffmann-La Idatrexate Roche)Ethynylcytidine (Taiho) Topoisomerase Amsacrine Rubitecan (SuperGen)inhibitors Epirubicin Exatecan mesylate Etoposide (Daiichi) Teniposideor Quinamed (ChemGenex) mitoxantrone Gimatecan (Sigma- Tau) Irinotecan(CPT-11) Diflomotecan (Beaufour- 7-ethyl-10- Ipsen) hydroxycamptothecinTAS-103 (Taiho) Topotecan Elsamitrucin (Spectrum) Dexrazoxanet J-107088(Merck & Co) (TopoTarget) BNP-1350 (BioNumerik) Pixantrone(Novuspharrna) CKD-602 (Chong Kun Rebeccamycin analogue Dang) (Exelixis)KW-2170 (Kyowa Hakko) BBR-3576 (Novuspharrna) Antitumour Dactinomycin(Actinomycin Amonafide antibiotics D) Azonafide Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)Anthrapyrazole Deoxyrubicin Oxantrazole Valrubicin LosoxantroneDaunorubicin Bleomycin sulfate (Daunomycin) (Blenoxan) EpirubicinBleomycinic acid Therarubicin Bleomycin A Idarubicin Bleomycin BRubidazon Mitomycin C Plicamycinp MEN-10755 (Menarini) PorfiromycinGPX-100 (Gem Cyanomorpholinodoxo- Pharmaceuticals) rubicin Mitoxantron(Novantron) Antimitotic agents Paclitaxel SB 408075 Docetaxel(GlaxoSmithKline) Colchicine E7010 (Abbott) Vinblastine PG-TXL (CellVincristine Therapeutics) Vinorelbine IDN 5109 (Bayer) Vindesine A105972 (Abbott) Dolastatin 10 (NCI) A 204197 (Abbott) Rhizoxin(Fujisawa) LU 223651 (BASF) Mivobulin (Warner- D 24851 (ASTA Medica)Lambert) ER-86526 (Eisai) Cemadotin (BASF) Combretastatin A4 (BMS) RPR109881A (Aventis) Isohomohalichondrin-B TXD 258 (Aventis) (PharmaMar)Epothilone B (Novartis) ZD 6126 (AstraZeneca) T 900607 (Tularik)PEG-Paclitaxel (Enzon) T 138067 (Tularik) AZ10992 (Asahi) Cryptophycin52 (Eli Lilly) !DN-5109 (Indena) Vinflunine (Fabre) AVLB (PrescientAuristatin PE (Teikoku NeuroPharma) Hormone) Azaepothilon B (BMS) BMS247550 (BMS) BNP- 7787 (BioNumerik) BMS 184476 (BMS) CA-4-prodrug(OXiGENE) BMS 188797 (BMS) Dolastatin-10 (NrH) Taxoprexin (Protarga)CA-4 (OXiGENE) Aromatase Aminoglutethimide Exemestan inhibitorsLetrozole Atamestan (BioMedicines) Anastrazole YM-511 (Yamanouchi)Formestan Thymidylate Pemetrexed (Eli Lilly) Nolatrexed (Eximias)synthase ZD-9331 (BTG) CoFactor ™ (BioKeys) inhibitors DNA antagonistsTrabectedin (PharmaMar) Mafosfamide (Baxter Glufosfamide (BaxterInternational) International) Apaziquone (Spectrum Albumin + 32P(Isotope Pharmaceuticals) Solutions) O6-benzylguanine Thymectacin(NewBiotics) (Paligent) Edotreotid (Novartis) Farnesyl Arglabin(NuOncology Tipifarnib (Johnson & transferase Labs) Johnson) inhibitorsIonafarnib (Schering- Perillyl alcohol (DOR Plough) BioPharma)BAY-43-9006 (Bayer) Pump inhibitors CBT-1 (CBA Pharma) ZosuquidarTariquidar (Xenova) trihydrochloride (Eli Lilly) MS-209 (Schering AG)Biricodar dicitrate (Vertex) Histone acetyl Tacedinaline (Pfizer)Pivaloyloxymethyl butyrate transferase SAHA (Aton Pharma) (Titan)inhibitors MS-275 (Schering AG) Depsipeptide (Fujisawa)Metalloproteinase Neovastat (Aeterna Labo- CMT -3 (CollaGenex)inhibitors ratories) BMS-275291 (Celltech) Ribonucleoside Marimastat(British Bio- Tezacitabine (Aventis) reductase tech) Didox (Moleculesfor inhibitors Gallium maltolate (Titan) Health) Triapin (Vion)TNF-alpha Virulizin (Lorus Therapeu- Revimid (Celgene) agonists/ tics)antagonists CDC-394 (Celgene) Endothelin-A re- Atrasentan (Abbot) YM-598(Yamanouchi) ceptor antagonists ZD-4054 (AstraZeneca) Retinoic acid re-Fenretinide (Johnson & Alitretinoin (Ligand) ceptor agonists Johnson)LGD-1550 (Ligand) Immunomodulators Interferon Dexosome therapy Oncophage(Antigenics) (Anosys) GMK (Progenics) Pentrix (Australian CancerAdenocarcinoma vaccine Technology) (Biomira) JSF-154 (Tragen) CTP-37(AVI BioPharma) Cancer vaccine (Intercell) JRX-2 (Immuno-Rx) Norelin(Biostar) PEP-005 (Peplin Biotech) BLP-25 (Biomira) Synchrovax vaccines(CTL MGV (Progenics) Immuno) !3-Alethin (Dovetail) Melanoma vaccine (CTLCLL-Thera (Vasogen) Immuno) p21-RAS vaccine (GemVax) Hormonal andOestrogens Prednisone antihormonal Conjugated oestrogensMethylprednisolone agents Ethynyloestradiol Prednisolonechlorotrianisene Aminoglutethimide Idenestrol LeuprolideHydroxyprogesterone Goserelin caproate Leuporelin MedroxyprogesteroneBicalutamide Testosterone Flutamide Testosterone propionate OctreotideFluoxymesterone Nilutamide Methyltestosterone Mitotan DiethylstilbestrolP-04 (Novogen) Megestrol 2-Methoxyoestradiol Tamoxifen (EntreMed)Toremofin Arzoxifen (Eli Lilly) Dexamethasone Photodynamic Talaporfin(Light Sciences) Pd-Bacteriopheophorbid agents Theralux (Theratechnolo-(Yeda) gies) Lutetium-Texaphyrin Motexafin-Gadolinium (Pharmacyclics)(Pharmacyclics) Hypericin Tyrosine kinase Imatinib (Novartis) Kahalide F(PharmaMar) inhibitors Leflunomide(Sugen/ CEP- 701 (Cephalon) Pharmacia)CEP-751 (Cephalon) ZDI839 (AstraZeneca) MLN518 (Millenium) Erlotinib(Oncogene PKC412 (Novartis) Science) Phenoxodiol O Canertjnib (Pfizer)Trastuzumab (Genentech) Squalamine (Genaera) C225 (ImClone) SU5416(Pharmacia) rhu-Mab (Genentech) SU6668 (Pharmacia) MDX-H210 (Medarex)ZD4190 (AstraZeneca) 2C4 (Genentech) ZD6474 (AstraZeneca) MDX-447(Medarex) Vatalanib (Novartis) ABX-EGF (Abgenix) PKI166 (Novartis)IMC-1C11 (ImClone) GW2016 (GlaxoSmith- Kline) EKB-509 (Wyeth) EKB-569(Wyeth) Various agents SR-27897 (CCK-A inhibi- BCX-1777 (PNP inhibitor,tor, Sanofi-Synthelabo) BioCryst) Tocladesine (cyclic AMP Ranpirnase(ribonuclease agonist, Ribapharm) stimulant, Alfacell) Alvocidib (CDKinhibitor, Galarubicin (RNA synthe- Aventis) sis inhibitor, Dong-A)CV-247 (COX-2 inhibitor, Tirapazamine (reducing Ivy Medical) agent, SRIInternational) P54 (COX-2 inhibitor, N-Acetylcysteine (reducingPhytopharm) agent, Zambon) CapCell ™ (CYP450 R-Flurbiprofen (NF-kappaBstimulant, Bavarian Nordic) inhibitor, Encore) GCS-IOO (gal3 antagonist,3CPA (NF-kappaB GlycoGenesys) inhibitor, Active Biotech) G17DT immunogen(gas- Seocalcitol (vitamin D trin inhibitor, Aphton) receptor agonist,Leo) Efaproxiral (oxygenator, 131-I-TM-601 (DNA Allos Therapeutics)antagonist, PI-88 (heparanase inhibi- TransMolecular) tor, Progen)Eflornithin (ODC inhibitor, Tesmilifen (histamine an- ILEX Oncology)tagonist, YM BioSciences) Minodronic acid Histamine (histamine H2(osteoclast inhibitor, receptor agonist, Maxim) Yamanouchi) Tiazofurin(IMPDH inhibi- Indisulam (p53 stimulant, tor, Ribapharm) Eisai)Cilengitide (integrin an- Aplidin (PPT inhibitor, tagonist, Merck KGaA)PharmaMar) SR-31747 (IL-1 antagonist, Rituximab (CD20 antibody,Sanofi-Synthelabo) Genentech) CCI-779 (mTOR kinase Gemtuzumab (CD33inhibitor, Wyeth) antibody, Wyeth Ayerst) Exisulind (PDE-V inhibitor,PG2 (haematopoiesis Cell Pathways) promoter, Pharmagenesis) CP-461(PDE-V inhibitor, Immunol ™ (triclosan Cell Pathways) mouthwash, Endo)AG-2037 (GART inhibitor, Triacetyluridine (uridine Pfizer) prodrug,Wellstat) WX-UK1 (plasminogen SN-4071 (sarcoma agent, activatorinhibitor, Wilex) Signature BioScience) PBI-1402 (PMN stimulant,TransMID-107 ™ ProMetic LifeSciences) (immunotoxin, KS Bortezomib(proteasome Biomedix) inhibitor, Millennium) PCK-3145 (apoptosis SRL-172(T-cell stimulant, promoter, Procyon) SR Pharma) Doranidazole (apoptosisTLK-286 (glutathione-S promoter, Pola) transferase inhibitor, Telik)CHS-828 (cytotoxic agent, PT-100 (growth factor Leo) agonist, PointTherapeu- Trans-retinic acid tics) (differentiator, NIH) Midostaurin(PKC inhibitor, MX6 (apoptosis promoter, Novartis) MAXIA) Bryostatin-1(PKC stimu- Apomine (apoptosis lant, GPC Biotech) promoter, ILEXOncology) CDA-II (apoptosis pro- Urocidin (apoptosis moter, Everlife)promoter, Bioniche) SDX-101 (apoptosis pro- Ro-31-7453 (apoptosis moter,Salmedix) promoter, La Roche) Ceflatonin (apoptosis pro- Brostallicin(apoptosis moter, ChemGenex) promoter, Pharmacia)

The following abbreviations refer respectively to the definitions below:

aq (aqueous), h (hour), g (gram), L (liter), mg (milligram), MHz(Megahertz), min. (minute), mm (millimeter), mmol (millimole), mM(millimolar), m.p. (melting point), eq (equivalent), mL (milliliter), L(microliter), ACN (acetonitrile), AcOH (acetic acid), CDCl₃ (deuteratedchloroform), CD₃OD (deuterated methanol), CH₃CN (acetonitrile), c-hex(cyclohexane), DCC (dicyclohexyl carbodiimide), DCM (dichloromethane),DIC (diisopropyl carbodiimide), DIEA (diisopropylethyl-amine), DMF(dimethylformamide), DMSO (dimethylsulfoxide), DMSO-d₆ (deuterateddimethylsulfoxide), EDC(1-(3-dimethyl-amino-propyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide), ESI (Electro-sprayionization), EtOAc (ethyl acetate), Et₂O (diethyl ether), EtOH(ethanol), HATU(dimethylamino-([1,2,3]triazolo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yloxy)-methylene]-dimethyl-ammoniumhexafluorophosphate), HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography),i-PrOH (2-propanol), K₂CO₃ (potassium carbonate), LC (LiquidChromatography), MeOH (methanol), MgSO₄ (magnesium sulfate), MS (massspectrometry), MTBE (Methyl tert-butyl ether), NaHCO₃ (sodiumbicarbonate), NaBH₄ (sodium borohydride), NMM (N-methyl morpholine), NMR(Nuclear Magnetic Resonance), PyBOP(benzotriazole-1-yl-oxy-tris-pyrrolidino-phosphoniumhexafluorophosphate), RT (room temperature), Rt (retention time), SPE(solid phase extraction), TBTU(2-(1-H-benzotriazole-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluromium tetrafluoroborate), TEA (triethylamine), TFA (trifluoroacetic acid), THF(tetrahydrofuran), TLC (Thin Layer Chromatography), UV (Ultraviolet).

Description of the in vitro Assays

Abbreviations:

-   GST=Glutathione-S-transferase-   FRET=Fluorescence resonance energy transfer-   HTRF®=(homogenous time resolved fluorescence)-   HEPES=4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazine ethanesulfonic acid buffer-   DTT=Dithiothreitol-   BSA=bovine serum albumin-   CHAPS=detergent;-   CHAPS=3[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate

Biochemical Activity Testing of Human Fatty Acid Synthase FASN

Fatty acid synthase FASN is a multifunctional enzyme with sevencatalytic activities thereby synthesising long chain fatty acidsespecially palmitoyl-CoA in the presence of co-factor NADPH startingfrom the substrates acetyl-CoA and malonyl-CoA. The reductive synthesisis realized by the oxidation of NADPH to NADP. Since NADPH has a highfluorescence intensity quantum yield compared to NADP with excitation at340 nm and emission at 460 nm, the reaction can be monitored via thedecrease in fluorescence intensity. The biochemical FASN activitytesting was performed as 384 well two-time-point kinetic fluorescenceintensity assay format in Greiner low volume medium binding 384-wellblack microtiter plates in a total assay volume of 8 μl and was used forhigh throughput screen. In each well 3 μl 40 nM human recombinantfull-length fatty acid synthase (produced in-house in SF9 cells) weredispensed in the following assay buffer: 50 mM potassium phosphatebuffer pH 7.0, 0.005% (w/v) BSA, 2 mM Glutathione, 0.02% Tween-20. Then2 μl of 200 μM NADPH in assay buffer were added, followed by theaddition of the test compounds in 10 dilution concentrations startingwith 30 μM (final concentration) to get a final DMSO content of 1%(v/v). The mixture was incubated for at least 15 min at roomtemperature. After the pre-incubation the enzymatic reaction was startedby the addition of 2 μl substrate solution (80 μM acetyl-CoA, 240 μMmalonyl-CoA). A first fluorescence intensity measurement (time pointone) was performed with an Envision multimode reader (Perkin Elmer LASGermany GmbH) at excitation wavelength 340 nm (lamp mode) and emissionwavelength 460 nm. The reaction was incubated for 30 minutes at roomtemperature. After this the fluorescence intensity was measured again inthe Envision using the same parameters as described above (second timepoint measurement). The data were analysed by subtracting the first timepoint measurement value from the second time point measurement value(after the enzymatic reaction). The differences of the emission signalswere determined. These reflect directly the conversion rate of NADPH.The full value used was the inhibitor-free reaction. A pharmacologicalzero value was used like GSK837149A (Sigma-Aldrich) in a finalconcentration of 5-10 μM. The inhibitory values (IC50) were determinedusing either the program Symyx Assay Explorer® or Condosseo® fromGeneData.

Above and below, all temperatures are indicated in ° C. In the followingexamples, “conventional work-up” means: water is added if necessary, thepH is adjusted, if necessary, to values between 2 and 10, depending onthe constitution of the end product, the mixture is extracted with ethylacetate or dichloromethane, the phases are separated, the organic phaseis dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated, and the residue is purifiedby chromatography on silica gel and/or by crystallisation. Rf values onsilica gel; eluent: ethyl acetate/methanol 9:1.

HPLC/MS Conditions A

-   column: Chromolith PerformanceROD RP-18e, 100×3 mm²-   gradient: A:B=99:1 to 0:100 in 1.8 min-   flow rate: 2.0 ml/min-   eluent A: water+0.05% formic acid-   eluent B: acetonitrile+0.04% formic acid-   wavelength: 220 nm-   mass spectroscopy: positive mode

HPLC/MS Conditions B

-   column: Chromolith PerformanceROD RP-18e, 100×3 mm²-   gradient: A:B=99:1 to 0:100 in 3.5 min-   flow rate: 2.0 ml/min-   eluent A: water+0.05% formic acid-   Eluent B: acetonitrile+0.04% formic acid-   wavelength: 220 nm-   mass spectroscopy: positive mode

¹H NMR was recorded on Bruker DPX-300, DRX-400 or AVII-400 spectrometer,using residual signal of deuterated solvent as internal reference.Chemical shifts (δ) are reported in ppm relative to the residual solventsignal (δ=2.49 ppm for ¹H NMR in DMSO-d₆). ¹H NMR data are reported asfollows: chemical shift (multiplicity, coupling constants, and number ofhydrogens). Multiplicity is abbreviated as follows: s (singlet), d(doublet), t (triplet), q (quartet), m (multiplet), br (broad).

The microwave chemistry is performed on a single mode microwave reactorEmrys™ Optimiser from Personal Chemistry.

EXAMPLE 1 Synthesis of1-[5-(4-isoquinolin-6-yl-benzoyl)-hexahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl]-propan-1-one(“A1”)

1.1 tert-Butyl hexahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-2(1H)-carboxylate (0.65 g;3.06 mmol) is dissolved in 20 ml of DCM. N-Ethyldiisopropylamine forsynthesis (1.56 ml; 9.19 mmol) is added and the mixture cooled to 0° C.Now 4-bromobenzoyl chloride for synthesis (0.74 g; 3.37 mmol) isdissolved in 10 ml of DCM and added dropwise to the reaction, followedby stirring at RT for 14 h. The reaction mixture is extracted with 50 mlof water. The organic layer is separated, dried over MgSO₄, filtered offand then reduced to dryness under vacuo to afford 1.10 g (90.9%)5-(4-bromo-benzoyl)-hexahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-2-carboxylic acidtert-butyl ester 1 as a slight orange oil.

1.2 5-(4-Bromo-benzoyl)-hexahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-2-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester (1.1 g; 2.78 mmol) is dissolved in 15 ml ofHCl/Isopropanol (5-6N) and then stirred at RT for 2 hrs. The reactionmixture is reduced to dryness under vacuo to yield 0.90 g (97.5%)(4-bromo-phenyl)-(hexahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl)-methanone 2.

1.3 (4-Bromo-phenyl)-(hexahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl)-methanonehydrochloride (300 mg; 0.9 mmol) is dissolved in 5 ml of DCM,N-ethyldiiso-propylamine for synthesis (0.46 ml; 2.7 mmol) is added andthen cooled to 0° C. Propionyl chloride for synthesis (0.095 ml; 1.09mmol) is added dropwise followed by stirring at RT for 14 h. Thereaction mixture is separated between DCM and water. The organic layeris separated, dried over MgSO4, filtered off and then reduced to drynessunder vacuo to afford 316 mg (99.5%)1-[5-(4-bromo-benzoyl)-hexahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl]-propan-1-one3 as a brown oil.

1.41-[5-(4-Bromo-benzoyl)-hexahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl]-propan-1-one(100 mg; 0.285 mmol) and isoquinolin-6-ylboronic acid (55.2 mg; 0.31mmol) are dissolved in 1,4-dioxane dried (max. 0.005% H₂O), SeccoSolv®(5.0 ml; 0.058 mol) and the mixture is purged with nitrogen for 5minutes. Sodium carbonate anhydrous (90.6 mg , 0.86 mmol) andbis(triscyclohexyl-phosphine)-palladium(II) dichloride, 99% (6.4 mg, 8.7μM) are added and the reaction mixture is heated to 150° C. for 90 minunder microwave. The mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate/water. Theorganic layer is dried over MgSO₄, filtered off and evaporated in vacuo.The product is purified on prep. HPLC to afford 56 mg (49%)1-[5-(4-isoquinolin-6-yl-benzoyl)-hexahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl]-propan-1-one(“A1”) as a white solid;

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆, TFA-d₁) δ [ppm] 9.96 (s, 1H), 8.75-8.65 (m,3H), 8.57 (d, J=6.5 Hz, 1H), 8.43 (dd, J=8.7 Hz, J=1.2 Hz, 1H), 8.04 (d,J=8.3 Hz, 2H), 7.78 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 2H), 3.92-3.21 (m, 8H), 3.12-2.87 (m,2H), 2.39-2.20 (m, 2H), 1.10-0.99 (m, 3H).

The following compounds are obtained analogously

1-[5-(4-benzofuran-6-yl-benzoyl)-hexahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl]-propan-1-one(“A2)

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆, TFA-d₁) δ [ppm] 7.98-7.94 (m, 2H), 7.79-7.74(m, 2H), 7.70-7.62 (m, 4H), 6.99 (d, J=2.1 Hz, 1H), 3.91-3.20 (m, 8H),3.11-2.84 (m, 2H), 2.36-2.21 (m, 2H), 1.10-0.99 (m, 3H);

1-[5-(4-isoquinolin-6-yl-benzoyl)-hexahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl]-ethanone(“A3”)

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆, TFA-d₁) δ [ppm] 9.96 (s, 1H), 8.75-8.66 (m,3H), 8.57 (d, J=6.7 Hz, 1H), 8.43 (dd, J=8.7, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 8.04 (d,J=8.3 Hz, 2H), 7.78 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 3.92-3.22 (m, 8H), 3.14-2.87 (m,2H), 2.02 (d, J=13.3 Hz, 3H);

1-{5-[4-(1H-indol-6-yl)-benzoyl]-hexahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl}-propan-1-one(“A4”)

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆,) δ [ppm] 7.75-7.70 (m, 2H), 7.67 (d, J=0.7 Hz,1H), 7.65-7.58 (m, 3H), 7.45-7.37 (m, 1H), 7.34 (dd, J=8.3, 1.6 Hz, 1H),6.47-6.44 (m, 1H), 3.82-3.08 (m, 8H) 3.05-2.78 (m, 2H), 2.31-2.16 (m,2H), 1.04-0.94 (m, 3H);

(5-cyclopropanecarbonyl-hexahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl)-[4-(1H-indol-6-yl)-phenyl]-methanone(“A5”)

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆,) δ [ppm] 11.19 (s, 1H), 7.73 (d, J=8.4 Hz,2H), 7.68 (s, 1H), 7.62 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 3H), 7.43-7.37 (m, 1H), 7.34 (dd,J=8.3, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 6.48-6.43 (m, 1H), 3.92-3.12 (m, 8H), 3.10-2.80 (m,2H), 1.85-164 (m, 1H), 0.81-0.66 (m, 4H);

1-[5-(4-benzofuran-6-yl-benzoyl)-hexahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl]-ethanone(“A6”)

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆,) δ [ppm] 7.97 (s, 2H), 7.80-7,74 (m, 2H),7.72-7.63 (m, 4H), 7.02-6.97 (m, 1H), 3.90-3.20 (m, 8H), 3.13-2.86 (m,2H), 2.07-1.97 (m, 3H);

1-{5-[4-(1H-indol-6-yl)-benzoyl]-hexahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl}-ethanone(“A7”)

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆, TFA-d₁) δ [ppm] 7.76-7,66 (m, 3H), 7.65-7.58(m, 3H), 7.43-7.38 (m, 1H), 7.34 (dd, J=8.3, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 6.49-6.42 (m,1H), 3.82-3.10 (m 8H), 2.93 (d, J=40.2 Hz, 2H), 1.94 (d, J=9.9 Hz, 3H);

(5-cyclopropanecarbonyl-hexahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl)-(4-isoquinolin-6-yl-phenyl)-methanone(“A8”)

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆,) δ [ppm] 8.75-8.64 (m, 3H), 8.57 (d, J=6.6 Hz,1H), 8.43 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 1H), 8.04 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 2H), 7.79 (d, J=8.1 Hz,2H), 4.11-3.63 (m, 4H), 3.65-3.18 (m, 5H), 3.02 (dd, J=63.6, 19.4 Hz,2H), 1.75 (d, J=27.8 Hz, 1H), 0.90-0.65 (m, 4H);

(4-benzofuran-6-yl-phenyl)-(5-cyclopropanecarbonyl-hexahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl)-methanone(“A9”)

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆,) δ [ppm] 8.04 (d, J=2.2 Hz, 1H), 7.97 (d,J=1.7 Hz, 1H), 7.75 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 2H), 7.70 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H), 7.66-7.59(m, 3H), 7.02 (dd, J=2.1, 0.8 Hz, 1H), 3.98-3.58 (m, 4H), 3.55-3.36 (m,3H), 3.23-3.13 (m, 1H), 3.11-2.79 (m, 2H), 1.81-1.66 (m, 1H), 0.80-0.65(m, 4H).

Pharmacological Data

TABLE 2 Inhibition of FASN of some representative compounds of theformula I Compound IC₅₀ FASN No. (enzyme assay) “A1” A “A2” B “A3” B“A4” B “A5” B “A6” C “A7” B “A8” B “A9” IC₅₀: <0.3 μM = A 0.3-3 μM = B3-50 μM = C

The compounds shown in Table 2 are particularly preferred compoundsaccording to the invention.

The following examples relate to medicaments:

EXAMPLE A Injection Vials

A solution of 100 g of an active ingredient of the formula I and 5 g ofdisodium hydrogenphosphate in 3 I of bidistilled water is adjusted to pH6.5 using 2 N hydrochloric acid, sterile filtered, transferred intoinjection vials, lyophilised under sterile conditions and sealed understerile conditions. Each injection vial contains 5 mg of activeingredient.

EXAMPLE B Suppositories

A mixture of 20 g of an active ingredient of the formula I with 100 g ofsoya lecithin and 1400 g of cocoa butter is melted, poured into mouldsand allowed to cool. Each suppository contains 20 mg of activeingredient.

EXAMPLE C Solution

A solution is prepared from 1 g of an active ingredient of the formulaI, 9.38 g of NaH₂PO₄.2 H₂O, 28.48 g of Na₂HPO₄.12 H₂O and 0.1 g ofbenzalkonium chloride in 940 ml of bidistilled water. The pH is adjustedto 6.8, and the solution is made up to 1 I and sterilised byirradiation. This solution can be used in the form of eye drops.

EXAMPLE D Ointment

500 mg of an active ingredient of the formula I are mixed with 99.5 g ofVaseline under aseptic conditions.

EXAMPLE E Tablets

A mixture of 1 kg of active ingredient of the formula I, 4 kg oflactose, 1.2 kg of potato starch, 0.2 kg of talc and 0.1 kg of magnesiumstearate is pressed in a conventional manner to give tablets in such away that each tablet contains 10 mg of active ingredient.

EXAMPLE F Dragees

Tablets are pressed analogously to Example E and subsequently coated ina conventional manner with a coating of sucrose, potato starch, talc,tragacanth and dye.

EXAMPLE G Capsules

2 kg of active ingredient of the formula I are introduced into hardgelatine capsules in a conventional manner in such a way that eachcapsule contains 20 mg of the active ingredient.

EXAMPLE H Ampoules

A solution of 1 kg of active ingredient of the formula I in 60 I ofbidistilled water is sterile filtered, transferred into ampoules,lyophilised under sterile conditions and sealed under sterileconditions. Each ampoule contains 10 mg of active ingredient.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A compound of formula I

wherein R¹ denotes A or Cyc, R² denotes H, R denotes Het, X¹, X², X³, X⁴ each, independently of one another, denote CH or N, A denotes unbranched or branched alkyl with 1-6 C-atoms, wherein 1-5 H-atoms are each optionally replaced by F, Cyc denotes cycloalkyl with 3-7 C-atoms, Het denotes furyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, benzoxazolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzimidazolyl, benzotriazolyl, indolyl, benzo-1,3-dioxolyl, benzodioxanyl, benzothiadiazolyl, indazolyl, benzofuranyl, quinolyl or isoquinolyl, which is unsubstituted or mono-or disubstituted by Hal or A, Hal denotes F, Cl, Br or I, n1, n2, n3, n4 each denote 1, with the proviso that only one or two of X¹, X², X³, X⁴ may denote N, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomers or stereoisomer thereof, including mixtures thereof.
 2. A compounds according to claim 1, wherein said compound is selected from: No. Name “A1” 1-[5-(4-isoquinolin-6-yl-benzoyl)-hexahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol- 2-yl]-propan-1-one “A2” 1-[5-(4-benzofuran-6-yl-benzoyl)-hexahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol- 2-yl]-propan-1-one “A3” 1-[5-(4-isoquinolin-6-yl-benzoyl)-hexahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol- 2-yl]-ethanone “A4” 1-{5-[4-(1H-indol-6-yl)-benzoyl]-hexahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol- 2-yl}-propan-1-one “A5” (5-cyclopropanecarbonyl-hexahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl)-[4- (1H-indol-6-yl)-phenyl]-methanone “A6” 1-[5-(4-benzofuran-6-yl-benzoyl)-hexahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol- 2-yl]-ethanone “A7” 1-{5-[4-(1H-indol-6-yl)-benzoyl]-hexahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol- 2-yl}-ethanone “A8” (5-cyclopropanecarbonyl-hexahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl)-(4- isoquinolin-6-yl-phenyl)-methanone “A9” (4-benzofuran-6-yl-phenyl)-(5-cyclopropanecarbonyl-hexahydro- pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl)-methanone

and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, tautomers and stereoisomers thereof, including mixtures thereof.
 3. A compound according to claim 1, in which X¹ and X³ each denote CH, and X² and X⁴ each denote N.
 4. A compound according to claim 1, in which X¹, X², X³, and X⁴ each denote CH.
 5. A compound according to claim 1, in which X¹ X³, and X⁴ each denote CH, and X² denotes N.
 6. A compound according to claim 1, in which X¹ X², and X³ each denote CH, and X⁴ denotes N.
 7. A compound according to claim 1, in which X¹ and X² each denote CH, and X³ and X⁴ each denote N.
 8. A compound according to claim 1, in which X³ and X⁴ each denote CH, and X¹ and X² each denote N.
 9. A compound according to claim 4, in which Het is indolyl benzofuranyl, or isoquinolyl, which is unsubstituted or mono-or disubstituted by Hal or A.
 10. A compound according to claim 2, wherein said compound is 1-[5-(4-isoquinolin-6-yl-benzoyl)-hexahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl]-propan-1-one or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer or stereoisomer thereof, including mixtures thereof.
 11. A compound according to claim 2, wherein said compound is 1-[5-(4-benzofuran-6-yl-benzoyl)-hexahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl]-propan-1-one or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer or stereoisomer thereof, including mixtures thereof.
 12. A compound according to claim 2, wherein said compound is 1-[5-(4-isoquinolin-6-yl-benzoyl)-hexahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl]-ethanone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer or stereoisomer thereof, including mixtures thereof.
 13. A compound according to claim 2, wherein said compound is 1-{5-[4-(1H-indo-6-yl)-benzoyl]-hexahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl}-propan-1-one or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer or stereoisomer thereof, including mixtures thereof.
 14. A compound according to claim 2, wherein said compound is (5-cyclopropanecarbonyl-hexahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl)-[4-(1H-indol-6-yl)-phenyl]-methanone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer or stereoisomer thereof, including mixtures thereof.
 15. A compound according to claim 2, wherein said compound 1-{5-[4- (1H-indol-6-yl)-benzoyl]-hexahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl}-ethanone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer or stereoisomer thereof, including mixtures thereof.
 16. A compound according to claim 2, wherein said compound 1(5-cyclopropanecarbonyl-hexahydro-pyrrolo [3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl)-(4-isoquinolin-6-yl-phenyl)-methanone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer or stereoisomer thereof, including mixtures thereof.
 17. A process for the preparation of a according to claim 1, said process comprising: reacting a compound of formula II

in which R¹, R², X¹, X², X³, X⁴ n1, n2, n3 and n4 have the meanings indicated in claim 1, and Y denotes Br or I, with a compound of formula III R-L   III in which R has the meaning indicated in claim 1, and L denotes a boronic acid or a boronic acid ester group, in a Suzuki-type coupling, and/or converting a base or acid of formula I into one of its salts.
 18. A composition comprising at least one compound according to claim 1, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient or vehicle.
 19. A composition comprising at least one compound according to claim 1, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient or vehicle, and at least one further medicament active ingredient selected from anticancer agents.
 20. A kit comprising separate packs of (a) an effective amount of a compound according to claim 1, and (b) an effective amount of a further medicament active ingredient selected from anticancer agents. 